Lunch-box



F. LEWIS.

LUNCH BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, I920.

Patented July 13, mm.

FIE L. FIU E FOREST LEWIS, OF CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA.

LUNCH-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1920.

Application filed March 24, 1920. Serial No. 368,337.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, Fonnsr LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Charleston, in the county of Kanawha and State of Vest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lunch-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to lunch boxes; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed whereby the size of the box is adjusted to the amount of its contents, and whereby it may be collapsed when empty so that it can conveniently be carried in a coat pocket.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side View of the lunch box when closed. Fig. 2 is a front end view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the box, when open. Fig. l is a cross-section through the lower part of the box, taken on the line -l-l in Fig. 3.

The bottom or lower portion of the box is formed of two slidable telescopic sections and (i. The outer section 5 has a back end portion 7 which is about one-half the height of its sides, and the inner section has a front end 8 of the same height as its sides. The outer section 5 also has side folds or guides 9 which overlap the top edges of the sides of the inner section, and it has laterally projecting locking pins 13 at the lower parts of its sides near its front end.

The top or upper portion of the box is also formed of slidable telescopic sections similar to the bottom portion. The outer section 10 of the top portion has an end portion 12 which is about one-half the height of its sides. and ll is a hinge which connects the two back end portions 7 and 12 pi votally together. The inner section 14 of the top portion has a front end 15 which is of the same height as its sides.

The outer section 10 has also side folds or guides 16 which overlap the edges of the sides of the inner section 14. The outer section 10 has also notches 18 in the edges of its sides which engage with the locking pins 13 when the box is closed. The inner section 1% has a series of notches 20 in each edge which slides in one of the guides 16, and the notches 20 are arranged to register with the notches 18.

The box takes up very little room in a coat pocket when collapsed and closed as shown in Fig. 1. V hen opened, the inner section of the bottom part is pulled out telescopi :ally to make the box of a suitable size to contain the amount of lunch or articles to be carried. The top part of the box is lengthened to correspond with the bottom part, and is closed down over it. The notches 20 and 18 which engage with the locking pins prevent the telescopic sections from being separated, and any suitable fastening device, such as a hook 24 and pin 25 is provided for keeping the box closed. The box is preferably formed of thin sheet metal, such as aluminum. but any approved material may be used.

lVhat I claim is:

A lunch box, comprising a bottom portion and a top portion hinged together at one end in line with the middle portions of their sides, said box portions being of unequal width and one portion being adapted to slide over and partially inclose the other. each said portion being formed of relatively slidable inner and outer sections which enable the length of the box to be varied. the outer box portion having guides provided with notches at the edges of the sides of the outer section, and the edges of its inner section being slidable in the said guides and being each provided with a series of notches which register with the aforesaid notches, and locking pins which project laterally from the sides of the inner box portion and engage with the, said notches of its top por tion when the box is closed.

In testimony whereof I have al'lixcd my signature.

FOREST LEWIS. 

